Sermons–Not Remembered, But——-
Many have dropped out of church because they felt it was of no benefit to them. Maybe the following story will help put things in the proper perspective:
There was an article in a church paper entitled, “32,850 Sermons Later.” It started off with a letter printed in the British Weekly from one of their English readers. The British letter went like this:
“Dear Sir,
‘It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending a church quite regularly for the past 30 years, and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered that I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else?
“Sincerely….”
For weeks a real storm of editorial responses ensued. The uproar finally was ended by this letter:
“Dear Sir:
“I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly of my wife’s cooking. Suddenly, I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I have received nourishment from every single one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them. I would have starved to death long ago.
“Sincerely….”
How about it—-don’t you think it’s about time that you got back into the habit of attending church regularly?
A TINY ROSEBUD
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One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God’s plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.
The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God’s will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.
It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:
“It is only a tiny rosebud…a flower of God’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God’s design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So, I’ll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim’s way.
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose.”
No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God’s will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads…and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance. Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time.–From Senior Living
TELL SOMEBODY
TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…
—Matthew 6:20
Heaven is a place in the future of every Christian, and I want to know—are you prepared? Are you really ready to go?
I don’t just mean, do you have the hope of heaven? That’s part of it. Trusting in Christ also means recognizing that your life on earth should count for something and you should lay up for yourself treasures in heaven.
Every thing you have on earth will be left behind. But Jesus told us if we were wise, we would “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20–21). This means as Christians we will one day receive rewards for our faithful service to the Lord.
What are you doing for Christ? Are you using the gifts He has given you? Are you serving Him?
I have found the best way to live the greatest life in this world is to be more concerned with the next one. C. S. Lewis said, “Aim for heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.”
So as I aim at heaven, as I am thinking about fellowshipping with the Lord, earth will be thrown in. I can have the greatest life on this earth—not because I am trying to obtain happiness or fulfillment, but because I am trying to walk with God and please Him.
The fringe benefit of living life for the next one is I can have a happy, fulfilled life doing it. (By Greg Laurie)
